[shleyaa]

What is the course about?
The movement and balances of water and energy.

Types of Questions:
Why do we have weather?
What is the evidence of climate change?
How do humans impact the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
What do they mean by 'isolated thundershowers'?

Mark Breakdown:
5 labs (35%)
4 online quizzes (2.5% each)
1 midterm test (15%)
1 final exam (40%

How are tests organized?
- short answer (including definitions)
- longer answer questions
- calculation questions
- multiple choice, fill in the blanks

How are lectures organized?
- lead slide with topics
- lectures are organized around a series of questions
- partial lectures posted on WebCT after/before lecture
- TO-DO list at the end

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Overall, I really did NOT like this course. The beginning of it was pretty easy and interesting, but as the semester went on, I found myself falling asleep in lecture and not understanding anything (I guess that was my fault, haha). I felt that the material was kind of dry... the only thing that really motivated me to go was the professor (John MacLachlan) who was good at explaining the concepts if you were listening. The test and exam weren't so difficult if you understood the general idea of things, and the labs weren't so bad either. The whole interest factor clearly had a negative impact on my opinion, but if you're into this kind of stuff, it will probably be a course you'll enjoy

I recommend avoiding this course like the plague unless you are really interested in weather, pressure blah blah blah. This course was an elective and is so far my worst mark in university. Mostly, the material is boring and so it's kind of hard to be motivated but there were some people who were really into this course.

I think the course was pretty good. If you attend all the classes, and take notes, it is reasonable. The slides are up, and you simply have to fill it in.

The professor was awesome, he would give random hints in regards to the exam and the midterm. As mentioned before, there were 5 labs, a midterm, and an exam. He was pretty funny, and quite helpful as well, when you needed the questions answered and all.

Although, the context gets extremely boring after a while, you do have general knowledge in regards to weather.

I know this review is for Enviro 1A03; however, I want to take Enviro 1B03 but there is no review for that course. So I was wondering if theres anyone that has taken the course and would be willing to write a short review regarding the course or briefly outline what the course is about and what I can expect for this coming summer semester. Thanks!

How was the prof? (It says Bernier in the timetable)

There is a different prof teaching it this year, he isn't as good as the one last year but is still pretty good and wouldn't be a reason to not take the course if it sounds interesting to you

how necessary is the textbook? I know for 1g03 I never needed it.

I found the textbook was really useful in clarifying concepts from the lecture that I was unsure about. It's also pretty helpful for some of the labs (with like background information and whatnot). The meat of the course is from the lectures though, as far as I remember...but I didn't regret buying the textbook. If you want to save money, you could possibly split the cost of the textbook with a classmate or something

if bernier is teaching it, then its a good thing. he's an amazing prof. Either way this course is fairly easy.. it has the same level of difficulty as enviro 1g03.

What exactly are the labs about? I have a hard time figuring out what you can accomplish in 50 minutes. Also, are they anything like chem labs? because I hate those.

ya i was wondering the same thing, wat o we do in these labs?

basically they ta explains the lab assignment (which is just sort of problem solving based on concepts discussed in class and there is also a short essay involved too). You do most of the assignment outside of the class but often part of the assignment is done in class and the TA initials it.

I took this class in 2010 with Dr. Bernier. Overall the class was one of the easier courses I've taken so far and probably the easiest environmental science I have taken. In terms of interest the material is boring at times but I find after a few months every class becomes mundane.
This is the breakdown
Midterm
There was one midterm worth 20%. It was easy with some MC, fill in the bank definitions and a few short answer which were mostly diagrams.
Labs 30% (6x5%)
Usually labs are a pain, but in this class the prof devoted a whole lecture to explaining each lab, which no one went to since he posted step-by-step instructions on line. Overall, they weren't as annoying as some other enviro classes.
Exam 35%
The exam was very similar to the midterm in regards to format and difficulty. If you just review Luc's lecture notes you would do just fine.

Also there were 3 online quizzes worth 5% each and those were easy grade boosters.

i thought this was a pretty easy course. the load was pretty light, too. highly recommended.

good course as an elective